[player]But if you don't want to recruit any new members at this time, you also don't need to force yourself.
[Hana Ninomiya]Eh? Why would you say that?
[player]When I was about to leave after washing my hands last time, I heard you say something like "things have been going well with just me anyway." Also, when I told you we would be discussing member recruitment today, you didn't look very happy either.
[player]It's also been a while since the summer vacation started, so you probably would've started preparing sooner if you really wanted to recruit new members. That's why I started thinking that you didn't really want to.
[Hana Ninomiya]I didn't expect you to hear my complaining... I was so busy being worried that day that I didn't notice you were beside me.
[Hana Ninomiya]Sigh... You're right. I really don't want to recruit any new members in the near future.
I'm guessing that the reason Hana Ninomiya doesn't want to recruit new members is related to having new interpersonal relationships.
She once said that the president of the gardening club she was in during junior high school had social anxiety disorder. As far as I know, Hana Ninomiya doesn't have social anxiety disorder, but dealing with new interpersonal relationships is a problem for most people. As the president, she'll need to consider how to communicate with others and how to create a good atmosphere in the club, which will inevitably make her feel stressed.
But this is just my guess. Only Hana Ninomiya will know the real reason. But since she hasn't told me, it isn't necessary for me to ask her either. I just hope she won't force herself to face a difficult situation because of the school's regulations.
[player]You agreed directly when Ren Kisaragi talked to you about this matter. Why didn't you tell him what you really think?
[Hana Ninomiya]I know the vice president told me to recruit new members because he cares about me and the club, so I couldn't really say no to him at that time. Also, you know what the vice president is like... The gardening club's current situation is already a violation of the school regulations. At that time, I just couldn't tell him that I didn't want to recruit new members.
[player]Well, it's not too late now. Shall we try to talk to Ren Kisaragi about this?
[Hana Ninomiya]Haha... Do you think you'll be able to convince him to let the gardening club continue like this? I'm glad that you understand how I feel about this, but I suggest that you give up on doing something that is impossible.
[player]You seem to have a misunderstanding. I didn't say that the gardening club won't recruit new members.
[Hana Ninomiya]Huh? What do you mean?
[player]In a moment like this, we need to thank our predecessors for being so wise. Hehe, I've thought of a good idea...
On the next day, Hana Ninomiya and I go to the student council office to look for Ren Kisaragi with two other people.
[Hana Ninomiya]Vice president, these two are new members I've recruited. The gardening club doesn't need to recruit any new members, so I want to remove the gardening club's recruitment booth at the beginning of the semester.
[Ren Kisaragi]These... are your so-called new members?
Ren Kisaragi looks at Nana Shiraishi and Eliisa standing beside us, then he stares at me.
[Ren Kisaragi]This is your idea?
[player]This is the best outcome that Ninomiya and I came up with after discussing this matter. Isn't that right?
[Hana Ninomiya]Y-Yes.
My idea is to copy what Usumi Ishihara did to save the pastry club - find people to become nominal members of the gardening club.
Naturally, Ren Kisaragi sees right through my little ploy. A look of obvious annoyance appears on the vice president's face. Evidently, he has recalled some unpleasant memories.
[Ren Kisaragi]Is the gardening club planning on changing its name to the problem children club? I hope you're not intentionally making trouble for me when I'm at my busiest.
[Nana Shiraishi]Hey! Vice president, that doesn't sound very nice. Liisa Liisa and I are serious about joining the gardening club. I often help out at the gardening club, you know.
[Eliisa]Y-Yeah! Liisa Liisa and Shaun are looking forward to joining the gardening club!
[Hana Ninomiya]H-Hold on! Eliisa, the potted plants in the club are not for eating. Some of the plants are bad for Shaun's health!
[Eliisa]You don't need to worry about that, Hana. Shaun just likes to play in a place where there are lots of plants... I think.
[Ren Kisaragi]...Even if they are serious about joining the club, each club needs at least four members.
[player]Do honorary members count?
[Ren Kisaragi]What do you think? Also, at least one of the members must be a new student in their first year of high school.
[player]Oh, that's not a problem. She's almost here.
Ransei
[Ransei]I'm sorry, Master. I was held up by something.
Ransei arrives just as I mention her. Everyone we contacted last night has arrived.
[player]The new semester hasn't started yet, so Ransei is still a first-year student. There's nothing else you can pick on now, right?
[Ren Kisaragi]...The school allocates limited funds to clubs every year, so I won't allow any clubs that don't conduct activities seriously to exist. Ninomiya, can you guarantee that these people will participate in club activities properly?
[Hana Ninomiya]Vice president, please let me apologize to you first. I'm really sorry about this. I should have started preparing to recruit new students right after I rebuilt the gardening club, but I've dragged it out until now. I know that you only asked me to start recruiting new members because you care about me and the gardening club. Thank you for that.
[Hana Ninomiya]Although Nana and Eliisa are new to gardening, they are both my good friends. As fellow problem children, we often end up doing physical labor together voluntarily when we get punished, so I don't need to worry about our tacit understanding at least. I'll take responsibility for teaching them gardening knowledge.
[Ren Kisaragi]It's your freedom to maintain your current social circle, but have you considered what will happen to the gardening club after you graduate?
[Hana Ninomiya]I know what you're worried about, but I'm not mentally ready for it yet. If I face my new juniors who join the club with a half-hearted attitude, I don't think I'll be a good club president.
[Hana Ninomiya]That's why I hope you can give me some more time. I'll do my best to prepare myself for the club recruitment in the next semester!
[Ren Kisaragi]...Don't forget what you just said. I'll be watching the gardening club's activities closely this semester.
[player](whisper) Phew... this matter is over now.
And so, the matter of the gardening club's member recruitment was put on hold for now. Nana Shiraishi and the others say goodbye to us and leave one after the other. As it's still early, Hana Ninomiya and I decide to go back to the gardening club to loosen the soil of the potted plants and water them.
[player]Although they're only nominal members, since they've joined the club now, don't go easy on them, Ninomiya. Make them do some work. Who knows when Ren Kisaragi will come here to conduct an inspection.
[Hana Ninomiya]Don't forget that you promised to buy each of them milk tea for a whole week to thank them for helping.
[player]All the more reason to make them come and work then! If they don't, the money I spend on buying them milk tea will be wasted!
If there are only two people, it'll be very busy even if there are only simple tasks to do.
But... when I look at the smile on Hana Ninomiya's face, I think it would be nice if this time that belongs only to the two of us lasts for just a little longer...
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